Keith Wayne Anderson died peacefully, surrounded by his family, Jan. 2, 2021, following a long and courageous battle following exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam conflict and from complications resulting from a medical procedure performed in 2000. Due to the current COVID-19 guidelines, burial with Military Services will be held at a later date in Northwood Cemetery, located in Grygla, Minn.
Keith Wayne Anderson was born April 25, 1947, in Thief River Falls, Minn., the son of Theodore and Delilah (Lee) Anderson. Keith was raised on the Anderson family farm on Moose River Road, north of Grygla, Minn., and was baptized and confirmed nearby at the Northwood Lutheran Church. He attended grade school in Grygla and high school in Goodrich until 1964 when, in his junior year of high school, his family moved to Kalona, Iowa. He graduated from Mid-Prairie High School in Wellman, in 1965.
Keith entered the United States Army in August 1965 and served in Germany. There he was promoted to Sergeant at the age of 19 and later served in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. Keith was honorably discharged in August of 1968. Following military duty, Keith moved to West Branch, where he worked for the West Branch Telephone Company. On May 29, 1969, he married Susan Bothel Oepping, later divorcing.
In 1974, Keith started his career in real estate. Over the next 25 years he held various leadership roles in the real estate, mortgage, and escrow industry. In 1994 Keith became General Sales Manager of Iowa Realty and First Realty Better Homes and Gardens in Des Moines. In 1997, he returned to Cedar Rapids to become the president of Eastern Iowa Real Estate Service Division. He was also involved in land development in the Cedar Rapids/ Marion area. Keith’s relationships with his professional peers were extremely important to him. He was always approachable, thoughtful, and bold in his decision making. Keith was a leader. He empowered people by helping them achieve their financial and personal success in real estate and in life. Keith encouraged people to look within themselves for a solution, pointing out their strength and worth. He had an incredible gift for making every person he came in contact with feel valued and special.
On July 16, 1994, he married Teresa (Bigler) Wagner at Northwood Lutheran Church in Grygla, Minn. In 1996, Keith and Teresa purchased a farm on Moose River Road near Grygla. They enjoyed spending time there and at their lake home at the Ken-Mar-Ke Resort on Lake of the Woods, near Baudette, Minn. In 2002, Keith’s medical conditions forced him to retire from the profession that he loved dearly and was so passionate about. That year, Keith and Teresa decided to spend their summers in Grygla, Minn., and their winters in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. In Grygla, Keith had time to enjoy his childhood roots. In 2010 Keith and Teresa moved to Kalona, to be closer to their immediate family.
Keith was a positive and optimistic man with an incredible sense of humor and a unique, contagious laugh. He always had an extra smile, providing care to those around him as he listened to their woes. He truly cared. Keith was known for his generosity and kindness to everyone. He loved animals, children, and the elderly. His greatest joy was his family, children, and grandchildren who always lit up his eyes and made him smile.
Keith was a friend of Bill W. since Sept. 25, 1981. His sobriety was his salvation in life. The program’s philosophies of “To Thine Own Self Be True,” to “One Day at a Time,” truly enhanced and enriched his life. The physical and medical burdens of the past 20 years were lightened, knowing he could live each day well and cherish every moment. Keith and his wife Teresa enjoyed many good times together, cherished each other, and appreciated each other’s sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife, caretaker, and best friend: Teresa; and four sons: Brian (Hope) Oepping of West Liberty, Brad (Martha) Anderson of Shueyville, Justin (Melissa) Wagner of Marion, and Jordan (Laura) Wagner of Grimes; grandchildren: Ali, Race, Jacob, Isaac, Erika, Mason, Wren, Nashua, and Tierra; mother: Delilah Anderson of Kalona; ex-wife: Susan Anderson; brother: Dean Anderson of Kalona; sisters: Alana (Duane) Bontrager of Kalona, Joan Gerot of Ainsworth, Carol (Marvin) Bontrager of Frytown, Marilyn Anderson and friend Pat May of Kalona, and Voncille (Kevin) Johnson of Kalona; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, relatives and friends.
He has preceded in death by his father: Theodore; brother: Ernest; son: Jack; and brother-in-law: Dean Gerot.
Condolences may be sent to Beatty & Peterseim Funeral Home, 201 B Ave., Kalona, IA 52247. Memorials may be sent to Iowa City Hospice or Paws and More in Washington, Iowa.
